Radio timing device



M. E. KELLER 1,907,296

RADIO TIMING DEVICE Filed April- 22, 1931 Z. QSM

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Application m April 22,1931. ,Serial No. 531,910.

This invention is a radio timing device, and has special reference to a means for automatically cutting a radio receiving set in circuit at a redetermined time and which is overned by a clock, the governing means eing adjustable to any desired time.

The usual radio receiving set may be tuned in on any broadcasting station by turning the dial to a given setting which can be readily lo ged. At times, a definite program may be scfieduled for a certain time in advance, and it is for this purpose that this invention is evolved. A

The objects of the. invention are:

First: to provide clock controlled means for cutting a radio receiving set in circuit at a predetermined time, the clock controlled means being adjustable for any desired time.

Second: to provide a device as outlined which is ada table to either electrical or mechanical cloc s, and which may be incorporated in a radio receiving set or put out as a separate device adapted to be attached to any receiving circuit.

Third: to provide such a device which is especially adapted for use in connection with the electric clock and which may be used as a remote control for a radio receiving set.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description is read on the drawing forming a part of this specification and in whlch similar reference characters refer to similar parts in the various views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my inventlon;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the vertical center of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of the invention and its connection to'a ra'dio receiving circuit.

The invention is preferably adapted to an electric clock 10 having the usual minute hand 11 and hour hand 12. The usual clock face may be used though it is preferable to provide a clock face which is divided into quarter hours as indicated at 13, as programs are usually scheduled on the quarter, half or full hour.

The clock is mounted in a special case 14 of insulating material having suflicient space ahead of the clock face to. receive the c0ntrolling mechanism.

The controlling mechanism consists of a ring 15 of insulating material rotatably mounted. in a groove 16 in the housing adjacent to the clock face 17. Fixedly secured to the ring 15 are two half gears 18 and 19 and which are insulated from each other by spacing as indicated at 20 and 21, the gears belng formed of conductive material. A pinion 22 of insulating material cooperates with the gear 18-19. Brushes 23 and 24 cooperate with diametrically opposite points on the gear and are connected to terminals 25 and 26. A short circuiting' device is adapted to cooperate with the hour hand 12 and consists of a flat spring member 27 fixed at 28 to one section 19 of the gear, and has a pointer 29 for indicating the setting of the device. A contact 30 is conductively con- 7 nected to the gear section 18, and the spring member 27 is normally retracted therefrom.

a A combined switch and ad'usting device is incorporated and consists o a square shaft 31 having a knob 32 fixed on the outer end and another knob 33 fixed to the opposite end, both knobs being formed of insulating material. The shaft is slidable but not rotatable in pinion 22 and bearing bushings 34, the bushings being rotatable in the bearing 35. A pair of spring fingers 36 complete a circuit through the shaft 31 which is of conductive material, and the spring fingers are insulated from each other by the block 37.

A solenoid 38 of hi h impedance is used to actuate a switch which consists of a lever 39 pivoted at 40 and adapted to cooperate with spring fingers 41, the end of lever 39 having an insulating handle 42 extending through the casing for exterior manipulat1on.

Additional terminals in cord are provided.

The clock 10 is continuously cut into circuit on a main power supply 45 and 46 as indicated by the leads 47 and 48.

The timing device is connected to the power supply at 40 on switch 39 and spring ngers 41 are connected to terminal 44. One terminal of solenoid 38 is connected to 43 and 44 or a plugswitch terminal and the other terminal to brush terminal 26 thence through brush 23 which contacts with one section of the gear 1819. The other brush 24 contacts with the other section of the gear 18-19 thence to terminal 25, spring finger 36 shaft 31, spring finger 49 to power supply line b -wire at 43. The device is connected in circuit with the primary 51 of a radio receiving circuit by connection through terminals 43 and 44.

To use the radio receiving set without the timing device, knob 32 is drawn out whereby the insulating knob 33 is inter sed between the spring fin rs 36 and 49 an no operation will result' rom the clock. Lever 42 is pushed back which cuts the receiver in circuit through the switch lever 39, the circuit then being direct to the receiver. To cut out the receiver, the lever 42 is pulled forwardly.

To use the timing device, the knob 32 is rotated, turning the ar 18 and 19, to ether with pointer 29 until the pointer in 'cates the time at which the receiver is to be put in operation. The time indicated in Fig. 1 is exactl 9 oclock. Knob 32 is then pressed in which cuts the device in circuit with the source of power. As the hour hand 12 reaches the sprin fin r 27 it forces the finger in contact with t e contact 30 closing a circuit across the gap 21, energizing the solenoid. 38, drawing the core 52 back and closing the circuit across terminals 40-41, and cutting the receiver in circuit, through the primary 51 of the transformer, just suflicient detail of the receiving circuit being shown to indicate the relation.

As finger 27 is engaged by hour hand 12 and de ressed against contact 30, lever 39 is closed to contact 41 and the circuit is completed through, first, power line 45, wire 50,

ever 31, brush 24, gear section 18, finger 27, gear section 19 brush 23, solenoid 38 and ower line 46, closing lever 39 and completing the circuit from power line 45 through transformer primary 51, lever 39 to power line 46.

When it is desired to cut out the receiver it is only necessar to pull switch 42 forward and knob 32 is then pulled out to prevent operation of the device until again desired.

Having described an operable method of constructing and using the device it will be noted that variations in construction and arrangement of parts which are consistent with the a pended claims may be resorted to without etracting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim 1. In combination with a clock having an hour hand and a dial; a ring formed of two sectors insulated from each other and concentricallv mounted relative to the hand pivot of said clock, a contactor finger electrically connected to one sector and adapted to contact with the other sector when engaged b said hand, said rin being rotatably moun brushes opposite y mounted and contactin with said sectors, adjusting means for rotata ly adjusting said ring, said adjusting means having means for controlling the circuit to said ring.

2. In combination with a clock having an hour hand and a dial; a conductive ring consisting of two semi-circular sections aced apart and rotatably mounted concentrically with said dial, means for rotatably adjusting said rin a s ring finger fixed to one section and a apte to contact with the other section, diametrically disposed brushes contacting with said ring, said finger being engagea le by the end 0 said hour hand.

3. In combination with a clock having an hour hand; a rotatably adjustable formed of two halves insulated from 33% other, means adapted to cooperate with said hand for bridging one gap between said halves, brushes mounted on opposite sides of said rin adapted to cooperate with the respective alves and a rotatable knob or adjusting said ring.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

MERRILL E. KELLER. 

